Ceasefire Under Strain as Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens Across Southern Lebanon

At least 11 people have reportedly been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, less than 24 hours after a new ceasefire aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah was announced.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery launched attacks on more than a dozen locations across southern Lebanon, with many of the strikes concentrated around the city of Nabatieh.

Images and videos circulating from the region showed thick plumes of smoke rising above several communities following the bombardment, raising fresh concerns about the durability of the newly announced truce.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strikes, saying the operation targeted what it described as “Hezbollah terrorist targets” after the Iran-backed group allegedly fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon.

The latest escalation comes at a delicate moment in regional diplomacy, with international efforts underway to consolidate a broader agreement intended to end months of conflict involving Israel, Iran and their regional allies.

The United States has publicly expressed concern over Israel’s continuing military operations inside Lebanon, warning that further escalation could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region.

Washington is particularly concerned that renewed fighting could jeopardise a wider peace arrangement with Iran, which reportedly includes commitments aimed at ending hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.

Iran has maintained that any comprehensive settlement of the conflict must address the situation in Lebanon, where Hezbollah remains one of Tehran’s closest regional allies.

In a further sign of diplomatic activity, reports indicate that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Switzerland for preliminary talks with Iranian officials as efforts continue to strengthen the emerging agreement.

Reacting to the latest strikes, senior Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah insisted that the group reserved the right to respond to Israeli military actions while calling on Israel to fully respect the ceasefire terms.

“What concerns us is that the enemy fully and comprehensively respects the ceasefire, and doesn’t attempt to attack our country and villages or seek to occupy any new position,” Fadlallah was quoted as saying by Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The renewed violence also comes amid mounting political pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces calls from some domestic constituencies to maintain military pressure on Hezbollah despite international appeals for restraint.

Hezbollah has repeatedly warned that it will continue military operations if Israeli forces remain inside Lebanese territory.

Earlier in the week, the White House criticised Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, arguing that continued operations could threaten the fragile diplomatic progress achieved in recent weeks.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump struck a different tone during a public appearance near Washington, where he praised Netanyahu and described the Israeli leader as a “warrior.”

The current conflict intensified in March after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel, prompting a large-scale Israeli military response across Lebanon. Since then, Israeli forces have maintained a presence in parts of southern Lebanon, with officials arguing that the operations are necessary to prevent future cross-border attacks.

The fighting has inflicted a heavy humanitarian toll. According to reports from the region, nearly one million people remain displaced, while numerous communities across southern Lebanon have suffered extensive destruction.

With fresh casualties reported despite the ceasefire announcement, concerns are growing that the truce could unravel unless both sides exercise restraint and diplomatic efforts succeed in securing a more durable settlement.

BBC